CBD Shows Anti Anti-Anxiety Activity Without Side Effects
In new research, University of Colorado Boulder researchers have demonstrated that cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating ingredient, significantly reduces symptoms of anxiety without worrisome side effects associated with THC.
The broad study tested 300 participants with various anxiety disorder diagnoses with a double-blind, placebo-controlled approach. The benefit was fairly substantial across generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.
The products also consistently proved more tolerable and efficacious than their THC-dominant counterparts.
Patients who took the CBD-dominant products experienced a mean 45% symptom reduction over the experiment after use. They reported few side effects, with their cognitive functioning intact.
THC-dominant products did provide symptom relief. However, it came with possible short-term cognitive impairments, tachycardia, and possible paranoia.
These findings indicate that CBD could be a safer, more targeted alternative for the treatment of anxiety, particularly for patients sensitive to traditional anti-anxiety drugs or concerned about impairments.
Source: ScienceDaily
Cannabis Use Not Associated With Cognitive Decline Over 44-Year Study.
A landmark 44-year longitudinal study has set the record straight on the cognitive effects of cannabis use.
The study, which followed more than 5,000 male participants from the start of adulthood into late midlife, utilised a comprehensive neuropsychological battery of tests to assess performance across multiple domains, including memory, processing speed, and executive function.
The results of this study indicated that cannabis users had a slightly better rate of cognitive preservation as compared to non-users, with the most significant differences in verbal memory and problem-solving abilities.
The researchers controlled for multiple potential confounding variables, including education level, alcohol consumption, and socioeconomic status.
Study participants were stratified into categories ranging from occasional to regular users based on their consumption patterns. Analysis revealed no significant evidence of cognitive decline across any of the usage groups.
In contrast to earlier, shorter-term studies, these findings suggest that long-term, moderate cannabis use is not associated with the kind of declines in brain function that have been widely reported.
Scientists say such findings do merit further study into possible neuroprotective compounds in cannabis and their effects on age-related brain changes.
Source: Neurosciencenews
Cannabis Compounds Demonstrate Synergy for Medicinal Effects
An in-depth review was published recently in the journal Molecules involving the complex interactions of cannabis compounds allow a deeper understanding of their detailed biological synergy.
Hundreds of studies regarding interactions have included detailed information about cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, which explain the chemical mechanism behind the “entourage effect.”
In the new research, specific molecular pathways by which those compounds interact were isolated, showing increased therapeutic effects of those compounds in a wide array of diseases.
For instance, several terpenes increased the cannabinoids’ bioavailability, while flavonoids contributed anti-inflammatory value.
Notably, many cases were documented in this review wherein combined compounds exhibited much higher efficacy compared to their isolated components, especially in regard to pain management and anxiety.
These results suggest that whole-plant cannabis preparations may offer superior therapeutic benefits compared with single-compound formulations. They could signal a paradigm shift in the development and prescription of medical cannabis products.
Authors called for standardised whole-plant extracts and further studies on the optimum ratio of compounds for various medical conditions.
Source: MarijuanaMoment
CBD May Protect Skin from UV Damage
New research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology provides encouraging evidence that CBD may provide substantial protection against UV-induced skin damage and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
The controlled study, conducted with 19 participants. Before exposure to UV radiation, the subjects’ skin was treated with CBD-products versus placebos.
Skin treated with CBD revealed significantly less evidence of UV damage in several key parameters, such as 37 per cent less erythema, a 45 per cent reduction in markers of DNA damage, and substantially reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels compared with placebo-treated areas.
Microscopic investigation showed that CBD seemed to turn on specific cellular pathways responsible for UV protection and DNA repair.
It also found the antioxidant action of CBD seemed to give further protection against free radical damage.
These findings indicate that CBD can positively complement traditional photoprotective agents and may offer a novel approach to preventing skin cancer and anti-ageing skin care.
The researchers say that although these findings are promising, large-scale studies should be conducted to find the optimum concentrations and delivery systems for maximum protection.
Source: Allure.com
Cannabis Use Tied to Epigenetic Changes
One of the most extensive studies to date into cannabis use and its potential influence on gene expression and regulation has been published.
Their study uncovered thousands of DNA markers that were explicitly associated with both recent and lifelong cannabis use, suggesting that cannabis use may promote long-term biological changes at the gene level.
These changes were mapped across the genome using state-of-the-art sequencing techniques, demonstrating complex patterns dependent on the frequency and duration of use.
Of particular interest, genes involved in neurotransmitter regulation, inflammatory response, and metabolic processes underwent significant changes.
These findings pinpoint an important molecular route whereby cannabis may interfere with a wide range of physiological processes and states of illness.
Researchers added that some of these actions seemed potentially protective, while others require further investigation due to their possible long-term health consequences.
The present study offers a new avenue of investigation into how cannabis use may affect health via epigenetic mechanisms, with the long-term goal of more selective therapeutic applications and improved risk assessment.
Source: Science Alert
